When you practice reading with passages shorter than book length, do not try to take in each word separately, one after the other. It is much more difficult to grasp the broad theme of the passage this way, and you will also get the stuck on individual words which may not be absolutely essential to a general understanding of the passage. It is a good idea to skim through the passage very quickly first to get the general idea of each paragraph. Titles, paragraph headings and emphasized words can be a great help in getting this skeleton outline of the passage. It is surprising how many people do not read titles, introductions or paragraph headings. Can you, without looking back, remember the title of this passage and the heading of this paragraph?

    Most paragraphs of a passage or chapter have a 'topic sentence' which expresses the central idea. The remaining sentences expand or support that idea. It has been estimated that between 50% and 90% of all expositive（說明的）paragraphs in English have the topic sentence first. Always pay special attention to the first sentence of a paragraph, it is most likely to give you the main idea.

    Sometimes, though, the first sentence in the paragraph does not have the feel of 'main idea' sentence. It does not seem to give us enough new information to justify a paragraph. The next most likely place to look for the topic sentence is the last sentence of the paragraph.

    Remember that the opening and closing paragraphs of a passage or chapter are particularly important. The opening paragraph suggests the general direction and content of the piece, while the closing paragraph often summarizes the very essence（精髓）.

1. It is a good idea to skim through a passage quickly first ____________.

A. at about 315 w.p.m.（words per minute）

B. to get the general idea of each paragraph

C. so that you can take in each work separately

D. to make sure you get to the end at least once

2.The topic sentence of an expository paragraph in English _____________.

A. usually comes in the middle

B. is most likely to be found at the end

C. is most often at the beginning

D. is usually left out in expository writing

3. Most expository paragraphs in English have a clearly defined topic sentence. In such paragraphs the topic sentence comes first _____________.

A. in about 5% of cases                       B in about 80% of cases

C. in about 20% cases                         D. very rarely

4.Sometimes we know the first sentence is not the topic sentence because ____________.

A. it does not seem to give us enough new information

B. it is not long enough

C. it does not come at the beginning

D. it does not make a complete sentence

5.The closing paragraph of a piece of writing ____________.

A. is not really very important

B. is often unnecessary repetition

C. often comes at the end

D. often summarizes the essence of the passage

When you practice reading with passages shorter than book length, do not try to take in each word separately, one after the other. It is much more difficult to grasp the broad theme of the passage this way, and you will also get the stuck on individual words which may not be absolutely essential to a general understanding of the passage. It is a good idea to skim through the passage very quickly first to get the general idea of each paragraph. Titles, paragraph headings and emphasized words can be a great help in getting this skeleton outline of the passage. It is surprising how many people do not read titles, introductions or paragraph headings. Can you, without looking back, remember the title of this passage and the heading of this paragraph?
Most paragraphs of a passage or chapter have a 'topic sentence' which expresses the central idea. The remaining sentences expand or support that idea. It has been estimated that between 50% and 90% of all expositive（說明的）paragraphs in English have the topic sentence first. Always pay special attention to the first sentence of a paragraph, it is most likely to give you the main idea.
Sometimes, though, the first sentence in the paragraph does not have the feel of 'main idea' sentence. It does not seem to give us enough new information to justify a paragraph. The next most likely place to look for the topic sentence is the last sentence of the paragraph.
Remember that the opening and closing paragraphs of a passage or chapter are particularly important. The opening paragraph suggests the general direction and content of the piece, while the closing paragraph often summarizes the very essence（精髓）

1. 1.

   It is a good idea to skim through a passage quickly first ______.

   1. A.
      at about 315 w.p.m.（words per minute）
   2. B.
      to get the general idea of each paragraph
   3. C.
      so that you can take in each work separately
   4. D.
      to make sure you get to the end at least once
2. 2.

   The topic sentence of an expository paragraph in English ______.

   1. A.
      usually comes in the middle
   2. B.
      is most likely to be found at the end
   3. C.
      is most often at the beginning
   4. D.
      is usually left out in expository writing
3. 3.

   Most expository paragraphs in English have a clearly defined topic sentence. In such paragraphs the topic sentence comes first ______.

   1. A.
      in about 5% of cases
   2. B.
      in about 80% of cases
   3. C.
      in about 20% cases
   4. D.
      very rarely
4. 4.

   Sometimes we know the first sentence is not the topic sentence because ______.

   1. A.
      it does not seem to give us enough new information
   2. B.
      it is not long enough
   3. C.
      it does not come at the beginning
   4. D.
      it does not make a complete sentence
5. 5.

   The closing paragraph of a piece of writing ______.

   1. A.
      is not really very important
   2. B.
      is often unnecessary repetition
   3. C.
      often comes at the end
   4. D.
      often summarizes the essence of the passage

When you want to see if a library has the book you want, you can use the catalogue(目錄) in the Library. Most catalogues of books in a library take the form of small cards kept in boxes. One way of arranging (排列) the cards is in ABC order by the family names of the writers.

　　Catalogue cards usually give the following important information: (1 )the name of the writer, (2)the shelf-n k(架號(hào)) ,that is ,the Dewev number which helps people to find where the books are, (3) the title of the book, (4)the year of publication and the publisher, and (5)the number of pages in the book.

1．if you know the title of a book and want to find out if it is in the catalogue, what else do you need to know?

　　A. The shelf-mark.　　B. The name of the writer.

　　C. The Dewey number.　　D. The year of publication.

2. Which of the following is the kind of catalogue card described in the text?

A. 428.65 Brooks,J.and Grundy,P.Writing for Study PurposesCambridge University I ‘ns~(1954) 78pp

B. 783.25 The best bookfor writing practicePractical Writing (1965) 213pp

C.315.08 Reading Skills Beijing University Press (1990) 160pp

D.921 .87 Smith, J Practical ReachingThe People’s Publishing House (1989)

Swim Birthday Parties

    Ages 3 and up.

Pool parties are during recreation swim in the 25-yard pool. Each party consists of an hour of celebration in a private room. Parties are for 1—5 children. All non-swimmers or children requiring floatation must be at arm’s length from the pool and accompanied by an adult or guardian.

Please contact Sarah Hagan 762—8384x210.

Fee: Members $ 175/Non-members $225

Youth Fitness Birthday Parties

Leave the party activities to us! Your party package includes:1/2 hour set-up,1 hour program time including equipment,props,etc.1 hour party time for cake,presents,etc.,1/2 hour clean-up time and 1 or 2 hours specialists. Parents supply decorations, food and paper goods. To schedule a Youth Fitness Birthday Party, call Mary Ann Genuario (x282).

Fee:$295 for up to 10 children,$10 each additional child—16 children maximum. Non-member price available upon request.

The Art Spot Birthday Parties

The Art Spot offers a variety of creative fine art parties for Ages 4—Adult! We supply the invitations, a balloon bouquet(花束), paper goods, project materials and a party host; all you need to bring is the cake!

Parties are one and a half hours, the first hour the group create their art project, and last 1/2 hour is for cake and presents! Parties are usually held on Friday nights and weekends but weekday parties are available.

Cost: $21 per child.

Rain or shine there’s no better place than the Art Spot for your child’s next party!

Nursery School Birthday Parties

If planning a party is not your thing, let us do the work for you! We offer a variety of pre-planned parties to choose from. You may also do a combination of 2 parties for boy/ girl parties. All parties are on Saturday afternoons between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and are one and a half hours in length. Parties include a craft or activity and paper goods. You may arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time to set-up. To schedule a party please contact Kim Murphy(x214).

Fee(Up to 15 children):$200 Members/ $250 Non-member,$15 each additional child.

1.The phrase “be at arm’s length” probably means“       ”.

A. be as careful as possible              B. be as long as an arm

C. be as near as possible                D. be as faraway as possible

2.If 12 children take part in Youth Fitness Birthday Parties, they will pay       .

A.$ 455             B.$315          C.$ 200            D.$250

3.If your child joins in the Art Spot Birthday Parties, he will        .

A. swim in the 25-yard pool              B. spend half an hour to clean up

C. create his own art project              D. o activities with other kids

4.What information can you get from the passage?

A. You can schedule the party when it is convenient for you.

B. The number of people for these parties is limited.

C. ou need to bring nothing to join in the birthday parties.

D. All of these birthday parties center on a special theme.